The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-11-03

rested, and propels that which ought
to be propelled. 1t fills up the gulleys.
1t elevates and transforms. To beauty it
gives more beauty, to tact more tact, to
enthusiasm of nature more enthusiasm.
When the Holy Spirit inpresses the i'm
age of God on the heart, he does not
spoil the canvas. If, in all the multi
tudes of young men upon whom religion
has acted, you could find one nature that
had been the least damaged, I would
yield this proposition. You may now
have enough strength of character to
repel the various temptations to gross
wickedness which assail you. but l do
not know in what strait you may be
thrust at some future time. Nothing
short of the grace of the cross may then
be able to deliver you from the lions.
You are not meeker than Moses, nor
hOlier than David, nor more patient than
Job, and you ought not to consider your
self invulnerable. You may have some
weak point Of character that you have
never discovered, and in some hour when
you are assaulted the Philistines will be
upon thee, Samson. Trust hot in your
good habits, OF your early training, or
your pride of character; nothing short
of the arm of almighty God will be suffi-
cient to uphold you. You look forward
to the world sometimes with a chilling
dependency. Cheer up! will tell you
how all may make fortune. Seek first
the kingdom Of God and his righteous
ness and all other things will be added
unto you l know you do not want to
be mean in this matter. Give God the
freshness Of your life. You will not have
the heart to drink down the brimming
cup of life and then pour the dregs on
Gods altar. To Saviour SO infinitely
generous you have not the heart to act
like that. That is not brave, that is not
honorable, that is not manly. Your great
est want III all the world is new heart. In
Gods name l tell you that. And the
| Blessed Spirit presses through the So
lemnities and privileges Of this holy hour.
Put the cup of life eternal to your thirsty
lips. Thrust it not back. Mercy offers
1t, bleeding mercy, long suffering mercy.
Reject all other friendships, be migrate
fui for all other Kindness prove recreant
| to all other bargains, but despise Gods
love for your immortal soul-dOn't you
do that.
NOuid llhc W SS6 SOllO bI you ILLS
hour press out of the ranks of the world
and lay your conquered spirit at the feet
of Jesus This hour is no wandering
| vagabond staggering over the earth. it is
winged messenger of the skies whisper
ing mercy to thy soul. Life is smooth
now, but after while it may be rough,
wild ard precipitate. There comes a
crisis in the history of every man We
| seldom understand that turning point
until it is far past. The road Of life is
forked and l read on two signboards:
This is the way to happiness" " This is
the way to ruin How apt we are to
pass the forks Of the road without think
ing whether ii comes out at the door Of
bliss or the gates of darkness.
! Many years ago l stood on the ami
versary platform with q minister Of
Christ who made this remarkable state
ment.
Thirty years ago two young men
started out i'll the evening to attend Park
theatre, New York, where play was to
! be acted in which the cause of religion
was to be placed IN a ridiculous and hyp-
ocritical light. They came to the steps.
| The consciences Of both snote them. One
started TO go home, but returned again to
the door and yet had not courage to en-
ter and finally departed. But the
other young man entered the pit
Of the theatre. It was the turn
ing point in the history Of those two
young men. The man who entered was
caught in the whirl Of temptation. He
sank deeper and deeper i'll infany. He
was lost. That other young man was
saved. and he now stands before you to
bless God that for twenty years he has
been permitted to preach the Gospel
Rejoice, o young man, il thy youth,
and let thy heart cheer thee in the days
Of thy youth; but know thou that for all
these things God will bring thee into
! Judgment